Ready for a wild weekend of basketball? A trio of teams stuck in losing streaks, including the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Houston Rockets, will do whatever they can to end their skids on Friday night. On Saturday, Trae Young and the sizzling-hot Atlanta Hawks visit Hollywood for a throwdown with the LA Lakers. On Sunday, the Lakers host a showdown against Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns.
With most fans focused on the March Madness college basketball tournament, it will be easy to overlook the NBA this weekend. Luckily, you have OG to point out which NBA matchups are worthy to watch in addition to your steady diet of college hoops.
| NBA Friday |
- Brooklyn Nets at Orlando Magic
- Utah Jazz at Toronto Raptors
- Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets
- Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies
| NBA Saturday |
- Atlanta Hawks at LA Lakers
- San Antonio Spurs at Milwaukee Bucks
- Charlotte Hornets at LA Clippers
| NBA Sunday |
- Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks
- Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat
- New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets
- LA Lakers at Phoenix Suns
- Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers
In the Eastern Conference, the big dogs like the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and Milwaukee Bucks continue to pull away from the glut of mediocre teams. Meanwhile, middling teams like the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks are fighting off the herd to hold on to their playoff spots.
Friday: Will Orlando, Toronto, Houston Get Off the Schneid?
Brooklyn Nets (28-13) at Orlando Magic (13-27)… The best of times, the worst of times. The Nets won six in a row, and the Magic are in the middle of a nine-game skid with everyone on the team available as trade bait. Brooklyn has the second-best over record at 27-14.
Utah Jazz (29-11) at Toronto Raptors (17-23)… The desperate Raptors are finally recovering from a COVID-19 outbreak, but they’re stuck in a six-game losing streak. Pascal Siakim returned to the lineup the other night, but looked rusty. The Jazz are the second-best in the NBA covering the spread with a 26-14 ATS record.
Detroit Pistons (11-29) at Houston Rockets (11-28)… Get ready for a bum fight between two of the worst teams in the NBA. The Rockets lost 18 games in a row, but finally have a bona fide slump-buster with the last-place Pistons coming to town.
Golden State Warriors (21-20) at Memphis Grizzlies (18-19)… Steph Curry vs. Ja Morant. Two bubble teams fighting for a playoff spot. Must-see TV. So much fun, it’ll be rerun on Saturday with a back-to-back two-game homestand in Memphis.
Saturday: Hawks and Bucks Staying Hot
Atlanta Hawks (21-20) at LA Lakers (28-13)… Trae Young goes to Hollywood with the red-hot Hawks, who won seven in a row and quietly snuck into the #6 playoff seed in the East. The Lakers have the second-best defense (106.3 ppg) in the NBA, which totals bettors leveraged into a profitable venture. The Lakers have the best under record in the league at 26-15.
San Antonio Spurs (21-16) at Milwaukee Bucks (26-14)… Greek Freak and the Bucks are riding a five-game winning streak and have yet to lose in the second half of the season. The Spurs recently agreed to split with LaMarcus Aldridge, but are fighting to hold on to the #7 playoff seed. The Spurs have the NBA’s fifth-best ATS record at 21-16.
Charlotte Hornets (20-20) at LA Clippers (26-16)… The Hornets were spanked by the Lakers on Thursday. They stuck around Hollywood for another chance at getting their asses handed to them by one of the elite teams in the West.
Sunday: Dame vs Luka, Lakers/Suns Showdown
Philadelphia 76ers (28-13) at New York Knicks (21-21)… These are two of the best teams at covering the spread this season, with the Sixers at 23-17-1 and the Knicks at 24-18. Thibs and the Knicks are the best defensive unit (105.1 ppg) in the NBA, and the Knicks are the third-best to beat the under with a 17-25 clip. Julius Randle has been on a tear for the Knicks and posted his second triple-double of the week.
Indiana Pacers (17-22) at Miami Heat (22-19)… The Pacers are three games behind the #8 seed, but finally have Caris LeVert in action. The Pacers are a top-five overs team with a 23-15-1 record.
New Orleans Pelicans (17-23) at Denver Nuggets (24-16)… Zion Williamson and the Pelicans head to Colorado to take on Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The Pelicans are five games behind the #8 seed and are running out of time if they expect to make a playoff run. The Nugs crank out 115.7 ppg and rank #5 in the NBA in offensive efficiency. The porous Pelicans allow 115.7 ppg, fourth-worst in the NBA.
LA Lakers (28-13) at Phoenix Suns (26-13)… The Utah Jazz established themselves as the top team in the Western Conference. The Lakers and Suns now have a showdown for the #2 seed in the West.
Dallas Mavericks (21-18) at Portland Trail Blazers (23-16)… This is the second game of a back-to-back for the Mavs and Blazers. Whenever Luka Doncic and Damian Lillard meet, it’s always a shootout. Can Dame go off for another 50-point night?
